The Georgia State Panthers and South Carolina Gamecocks open their 2022 seasons in Columbia Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Georgia State vs. South Carolina odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
South Carolina mainly used 3 different quarterbacks during last season’s 7-6 campaign, which included a 38-21 victory over North Carolina in the Dukes Mayo Bowl. As for 2022, the Gamecocks come into the season with a true starting QB in Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler. Coach Shane Beamer has familiarity with Rattler as he was an assistant head coach with the Sooners before taking the Gamecocks job before the 2021 season.
Both player and coach are hoping Rattler can rejuvenate a career that took a downturn last season when the QB was benched at Oklahoma. This Week 1 matchup against Georgia State is just what the doctor ordered for South Carolina to get off to a good start.
Georgia State returns to the field after an 8-5 season. Since joining the FBS level in 2013, the Panthers, first under coach Bill Curry and now under coach Shawn Elliott, have been a model of consistency. Finishing near the middle or top of the Sun Belt Conference is far different than going into Columbia and beating South Carolina though. This means a close game might not be in the cards here.
Check out: AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY sports
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Georgia State at South Carolina odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Georgia State +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | South Carolina -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Georgia State +11.5 (-110) | South Carolina -11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 55.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Georgia State at South Carolina picks and predictions
Prediction
South Carolina 34, Georgia State 17
Money line
STAY AWAY. There’s no value in backing a favorite at -450.
This one could remain close for a while, and it might look like the Panthers will have a chance. But in the second half, the Gamecocks will run away with it. Numbers on the ML this high should not be played.
Against the spread
As mentioned, I expect a slow start, but SOUTH CAROLINA -11.5 (-110) is my FAVORITE PLAY in this contest.
Rattler and a solid defense will do damage in this game against a Georgia State team that will try to run the ball and use game flow to control the clock.
While Rattler and the Gamecocks will be throwing, the Panthers, who run the ball as much as any team outside a service academy, will do just that … and come up short. Don’t get fooled by Georgia State having a better record than South Carolina last season.
Over/Under
UNDER 55.5 (-115) is the screaming play here.
Defense and rushing the ball. These 2 factors will keep this game from hitting the Over. It’s not as strong a play as the South Carolina spread, but it’s close.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Dominick Petrillo on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]